Shoe-shining machine



J. SMYTHE.

Y'SHO'E SHINI NG MACHINE. APPLICATIQN FILED JAN.'5, 1921.

421,597, Patented July 4, 1922.

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A'TTORNEYJ.

1 SMYTHE.

SHOE S HINING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 5,192].

1,421,597, 4 I Patented July 4, 1922.

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SHOE-SHINING MACHINE.

Application filed January 5, 1921.

To all "to/ 10m it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES SMYTHE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dines, in the county of Sweetwater, State of Wyoming, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe-Shining Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

Thisinvention relates to shoe shining machines, the primary object of which is to provide means of a simple nature operable v a suitable power source for effectively 0 caning and polishing shoes, the device being adaptable particularly to shoe shining stands or any shoe shining parlors where the quick and thorough cleaning and polishing of numerous shoes is essential.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel power operated shoe shining device which is adaptable to various positions to enable the operator thereof to apply the cleaning and polishing tool to the various parts of the foot wear, and also permitting of considerable range in the movement of the shoe shining brush.

Still further objects reside in providing a device of the character stated which shall be of simple construction, composed of but few simple and readily assembled parts, which parts are so constructed and organized as to minimize the opportunity for breakage or derangement, which requires the exercise of no unusual skill or ability in operating the tool, which may be rendered portable if desired, and which is constructed particularly with a View to eliminating hardship on the part of the attendant operating the machine.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a stand of familiar type used in a shoe shining parlor, and illustrating in elevation the application thereto of a shoe shining machine embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail fragmentary view, parts in section, illustrating the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July a, 1922.

Serial No. 435,137.

manner of application of the swinging supporting arm to the standard.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view illustrating the manner of applying the brushes to the power shaft.

Figure 4 is a similar view illustrating the detail construction of the brush operating handle.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken through the handle and illustrating more particularly its construction and assemblage.

Referring now more particularly to the dra vings, 6 indicates a suitable base which may be formed of metal, wood or other material, and from the center of which rises a post or standard 7, the latter adapted to support the brush and brush operating means to be hereafter described. The base and its post are adapted to be positioned upon the platform in the shoe shining parlor between certain pairs of foot rests upon which the shoes to be cleaned and brushed will be placed, and the cleaning apparatus is adapted to be swung so as to shine shoes upon the pairs of foot rests upon either side of the standard. The standard preferably rises to a height well above the head of the person whose shoes are being operated upon, so as not to be in the way or obstruct the movements of the customer to or from his position above the foot rest.

The upper end of the standard 7 is provided with an upwardly extending pin or bolt 8, to which the inner end of an arm 9 is pivotally attached The upper extremity of the bolt or pin may be provided with a nut 10 to hold the arm in proper position. From this construction it is obvious that the arm is free for swinging movement upon the 1 The power employed in the present instance for operating the shoe cleaning and polishing brushes is derived from an electric motor 11 of familiar construction sus pended from the outer end of arm 9 by a rope or cable 12. The rope or cable is attached at its upper end to a ring or loop 13 upon the said arm, and the rope is of such length as to suspend the motor properly ad jacent the foot wear resting upon the foot rests. The conductor to lead electric current to the motor is indicated at 14, and may be wound about the rope 12 as shown and upon the arm 9, passing down through the arm and may, if desired, be provided at its inner end with a screw plug (not shown) whereby the conductor may be coupled with the ordinary house or light circuit.

The shaft 15 of the motor is bored at one end and its bored portion is threaded to receive the threaded extremity of a pin 16. This pin is squared throughout the greater portion of its length, and is provided at its outer end with a head 17 which may be gripped with the fingers to facilitate screwing or unscrewing the said stem upon or from the motor shaft. The brush includes a central core 18 having an axially disposed square opening therein to snugly accommodate the squared portion of the pin 16. To the periphery of this core is secured the brush bristles, disposed radially thereon so as to provide a circular brush, as shown. Brushes of various sizes or types may be used in connection with the polishing apparatus, it being understood that several brushes will be employed to treat shoes of various colors, and brushes having bristles of various coarseness will also be employed for removing mud or dust from the foot wear. By the construction described, it is obvious that these brushes or buffers are readily interchangeable, and these changes maybe performed very quickly and easily.

The top of the motor is connected to the lower end of a rod 19, and this rod is preferably straight and cylindrical throughout substantially its entire length. The rod is pivoted inwardly from its lower end to the lower extremity of a semi-cylindrical connector rod 20, the upper end of the connector rod 20 being attached to the suspending cable or rope 12. The connector rod is of arcuate shape in cross section and is adapted to accommodate rod 19 when the latter is in normal or upright position. If desired, rod 19 may be provided at its upper end with a hand grip 21, by means of which said rod may be swung uponthe pivot 22. A snap switch 23 may be arranged in the conductor 14 so that the motor may be energized or deenergized at the option of the operator.

In operation, the post 7 will be positioned between pairs of foot rests in the shoe shining establishment, so that the arm 9 supported thereby may be swung 180 to enable the brush suspended therefrom to operate upon shoes placed upon either of the pairs of the foot rests. The operator of the device will close the switch, after first applying the proper brush to the motor, so that the motor will be energized, and in its normal suspended position, the brush is disposed so as to properly contact the sides, as well as the back and upper of the shoe. When it is desired to polish the tip and top portions of the shoe it is but necessary to swing rod 19 upon its pivot 22, and this flexible connection permits of the brush being applied not only to the upper parts of the shoe but also to the crevices adjacent to the instep thereof.

While the above is a description of the invention in its preferred embodiment, it is obvious that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, as variations in the con struction and assemblage of the details may be liberally resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claim. I

hat is claimed is:

In a shoe polishing machine, a motor, a rod secured to said motor, a connector rod, the first mentioned rod being pivoted to said connector rod inwardly from one of its ends, said connector rod being arcuate in cross section to receive andaccommodate the first mentioned rod when in one position, and a shoe cleaner operated by said motor.

In testimony whereof, I affix my'signa ture, in the presence of two witnesses JAMES s YriiEf WVitnesses I WALTER P. SOHNICK,

G. G. DOVE. 

